System and Method for Managing Media Content

ABSTRACT

A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media distribution system having a controller to identify a plurality of media presentation devices of a user of the media distribution system, identify one or more distribution preferences supplied by the user for distributing media content to the plurality of media presentation devices, receive media content from one of a plurality of media sources of the user, determine a media content type from the received media content, and distribute the received media content to one or more of the plurality of media presentation devices according to the one or more distribution preferences and the media content type. The one or more distribution preferences comprise in part media content distribution arrangements assigned by the user between the plurality of media sources of the user and the plurality of media presentation devices of the user. Other embodiments are disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/964,983, filed Dec. 10, 2015, which is acontinuation of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/528,191, filed Oct. 30, 2014 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,241,023), which isa continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/015,102 filed Aug.30, 2013 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,904,029), which is a continuation of andclaims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/033,082, filedFeb. 19, 2008 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,543,721), the disclosures of whichare incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to media management techniquesand more specifically to a system and method for managing media content.

BACKGROUND

A number of media formats are available for storing and distributingmedia content such as video, games, pictures, music, and so on. Forexample, movie content can be purchased or rented on a digital videodisc commonly referred to as a DVD. Newer media formats are now offeredwith a higher quality of presentation such as high definition or HDDVDs, and Blu-ray DVDs. Music and games are commonly distributed incompact discs or CDs and DVDs at retail stores. Some consumers canchoose to purchase media content over a communication medium (e.g.,Internet Protocol TV, satellite TV or cable TV video on demand downloadsto set-top boxes; iTunes™ to computers, Apple TV™ units and/or iPods™,etc.).

Media content such as described above can be recorded in some instancesin computing devices such as laptops, set top boxes, portable mediaplayers, entertainment systems of automobiles, and so on.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-4 depict illustrative embodiments of communication systems thatprovide media services;

FIG. 5 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a portal interacting withat least one among the communication systems of FIGS. 1-4;

FIG. 6 depicts an illustrative method operating in portions of thecommunication systems of FIGS. 1-4;

FIG. 7 depicts an illustrative embodiment of media presentation devicesand media sources coupled to a media distribution system by a wirelineor wireless interface; and

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of acomputer system within which a set of instructions, when executed, maycause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologiesdiscussed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One embodiment of the present disclosure entails a media distributionsystem having a controller to identify a plurality of media presentationdevices of a user of the MDS, identify one or more distributionpreferences supplied by the user for distributing media content to theplurality of media presentation devices, receive media content from oneof a plurality of media sources of the user, determine a media contenttype from the received media content, and distribute the received mediacontent to one or more of the plurality of media presentation devicesaccording to the one or more distribution preferences and the mediacontent type. The one or more distribution preferences comprise in partmedia content distribution arrangements assigned by the user between theplurality of media sources of the user and the plurality of mediapresentation devices of the user.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure entails a computer-readablestorage medium having computer instructions for receiving media contentfrom one of a plurality of media sources of a user, identifying a mediacontent type from the received media content, and distributing thereceived media content to one or more of a plurality of mediapresentation devices of the user according to the identified mediacontent type and one or more media content distribution arrangementsassigned by the user between the plurality of media sources of the userand the plurality of media presentation devices of the user.

Yet another embodiment of the present disclosure entails a methodinvolving distributing media content supplied by one of a plurality ofmedia sources of a user to one or more of a plurality of mediapresentation devices of the user according to a media content typedetermined from the supplied media content and one or more media contentdistribution arrangements assigned by the user between the plurality ofmedia sources of the user and the plurality of media presentationdevices of the user.

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a first communication system100 for delivering media content. The communication system 100 canrepresent an IPTV broadcast media system. In a typical IPTVinfrastructure, there is at least one super head-end office server (SHS)which receives national media programs from satellite and/or mediaservers from service providers of multimedia broadcast channels. In thepresent context, media programs can represent audio content, movingimage content such as videos, still image content, and/or combinationsthereof. The SHS server forwards IP packets associated with the mediacontent to video head-end servers (VHS) via a network of aggregationpoints such as video head-end offices (VHO) according to a commonmulticast communication method.

The VHS then distributes multimedia broadcast programs via a local areanetwork (LAN) to commercial and/or residential buildings 102 housing agateway 104 (e.g., a residential gateway or RG). The LAN can represent abank of digital subscriber line access multiplexers (DSLAMs) located ina central office or a service area interface that provide broadbandservices over optical links or copper twisted pairs to buildings 102.The gateway 104 distributes broadcast signals to media processors 106such as Set-Top Boxes (STBs) which in turn present broadcast selectionsto media presentation devices 108 such as computers or television setsmanaged in some instances by a media controller 107 (e.g., an infraredor RF remote control). Unicast traffic can also be exchanged between themedia processors 106 and subsystems of the IPTV media system forservices such as video-on-demand (VoD). It will be appreciated by one ofordinary skill in the art that the media presentation devices 108 and/orportable communication devices 116 shown in FIG. 1 can be an integralpart of the media processor 106 and can be communicatively coupled tothe gateway 104. In this particular embodiment, an integral device suchas described can receive, respond, process and present multicast orunicast media content.

The IPTV media system can be coupled to one or more computing devices130 a portion of which can operate as a web server for providing portalservices over an Internet Service Provider (ISP) network 132 to fixedline media presentation devices 108 or portable communication devices116 by way of a wireless access point 117 providing Wireless Fidelity orWiFi services, or cellular communication services (e.g., GSM, CDMA,UMTS, WiMAX, etc.).

Another distinct portion of the one or more computing devices 130 can beutilized as a media distribution system (MDS) 130 for collecting mediacontent from a number of media sources, and for distributing said mediacontent according to media content types and distribution preferences.Media content can represent audio content (e.g., MP3 music files,recordings made by a user with any number of audio recording devices),visual content (e.g., pictures, video, literature with text andgraphics, news reports, etc.), or combinations thereof.

Media sources can represent any number of content sources such asInternet media content sources (e.g., VoD catalogs, music and moviesfrom iTunes™, etc.), a portable media player (e.g., iPod™), still imagerecorders such as standalone digital cameras or digital cameras embeddedin cell phones, moving image recorders such as standalone digitalcamcorders or video recorders in a cell phone, and/or audio recorderswhich can record radio programs, ambient sound, or otherwise. The abovemedia sources can be communicatively coupled to the MDS 130 by atethered wireline connection (e.g., broadband xDSL or cable, USBconnection, etc.), or by way of a wireless interface such as wirelessfidelity (WiFi), or common cellular access technologies (e.g., CDMA,GSM, UMTS, etc.).

The media presentation devices are computing devices capable ofpresenting media content redistributed by the MDS 130. Mediapresentation devices can be represented for example by a computingdevice (e.g., a laptop computer), a portable media player (e.g., iPod™),an entertainment system of an automobile coupled to for example atelemetry system of the automobile, a set top box such as the onesillustrated in FIG. 1. Other media presentation devices suitable to thepresent disclosure can also be considered. Media presentation devicescan receive media content from the MDS 130 over common tetheredinterfaces (e.g., broadband DSL or cable, USB connection, etc.), or by awireless medium such as WiFi, or cellular.

In another illustrative embodiment, the MDS 130 can represent acomputing device located in building 102. The computing device canrepresent a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a set top box, oranother suitable computing device that can exchange media contentbetween media sources and media presentation devices.

From the foregoing embodiments, it should be apparent to one of ordinaryskill in the art that the MDS 130 can reside in any location of themedia communication system 100. Additionally, the MDS 130 can operate asa distributed or centralized computing device. For example, largestorage devices of the MDS 130 can be made accessible by way of themedia communication system 100 and located outside of the premises of asubscriber, while the computing portion of the MDS can reside inbuilding 102.

It should be further understood that the terms media sources and mediapresentation devices can be interchangeable. That is, in some instancesa media presentation device that has recently recorded new media contentcan serve as a media source to the MDS 130, while a media source canserve as a media presentation device when new media content is availablefrom another device. Accordingly, any computing device that can receiveand/or present media content can serve as either a media sourcesupplying media content or a media presentation device capable ofpresenting media content.

In yet another illustrative embodiment, a satellite broadcast televisionsystem can be used in place of the IPTV media system. In thisembodiment, signals transmitted by a satellite 115 can be intercepted bya satellite dish receiver 131 coupled to building 102 which conveysmedia signals to the media processors 106. The media receivers 106 canbe equipped with a broadband port to the ISP network 132. Although notshown, the communication system 100 can also be combined or replacedwith analog or digital broadcast distributions systems such as cable TVsystems.

FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a second communication system200 for delivering media content. Communication system 200 can beoverlaid or operably coupled with communication system 100 as anotherrepresentative embodiment of said communication system. The system 200includes a distribution switch/router system 228 at a central office218. The distribution switch/router system 228 receives video data via amulticast television stream 230 from a second distribution switch/router234 at an intermediate office 220. The multicast television stream 230includes Internet Protocol (IP) data packets addressed to a multicast IPaddress associated with a television channel. The distributionswitch/router system 228 can cache data associated with each televisionchannel received from the intermediate office 220.

The distribution switch/router system 228 also receives unicast datatraffic from the intermediate office 220 via a unicast traffic stream232. The unicast traffic stream 232 includes data packets related todevices located at a particular residence, such as the residence 202.For example, the unicast traffic stream 232 can include data trafficrelated to a digital subscriber line, a telephone line, another dataconnection, or any combination thereof. To illustrate, the unicasttraffic stream 232 can communicate data packets to and from a telephone212 associated with a subscriber at the residence 202. The telephone 212can be a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephone. To furtherillustrate, the unicast traffic stream 232 can communicate data packetsto and from a personal computer 210 at the residence 202 via one or moredata routers 208. In an additional illustration, the unicast trafficstream 232 can communicate data packets to and from a set-top boxdevice, such as the set-top box devices 204, 206. The unicast trafficstream 232 can communicate data packets to and from the devices locatedat the residence 202 via one or more residential gateways 214 associatedwith the residence 202.

The distribution switch/router system 228 can send data to one or moreaccess switch/router systems 226. The access switch/router system 226can include or be included within a service area interface 216. In aparticular embodiment, the access switch/router system 226 can include aDSLAM. The access switch/router system 226 can receive data from thedistribution switch/router system 228 via a broadcast television (BTV)stream 222 and a plurality of unicast subscriber traffic streams 224.The BTV stream 222 can be used to communicate video data packetsassociated with a multicast stream.

For example, the BTV stream 222 can include a multicast virtual localarea network (VLAN) connection between the distribution switch/routersystem 228 and the access switch/router system 226. Each of theplurality of subscriber traffic streams 224 can be used to communicatesubscriber specific data packets. For example, the first subscribertraffic stream can communicate data related to a first subscriber, andthe nth subscriber traffic stream can communicate data related to an nthsubscriber. Each subscriber to the system 200 can be associated with arespective subscriber traffic stream 224. The subscriber traffic stream224 can include a subscriber VLAN connection between the distributionswitch/router system 228 and the access switch/router system 226 that isassociated with a particular set-top box device 204, 206, a particularresidence 202, a particular residential gateway 214, another deviceassociated with a subscriber, or any combination thereof.

In an illustrative embodiment, a set-top box device, such as the set-topbox device 204, receives a channel change command from an input device,such as a remoter control device. The channel change command canindicate selection of an IPTV channel. After receiving the channelchange command, the set-top box device 204 generates channel selectiondata that indicates the selection of the IPTV channel. The set-top boxdevice 204 can send the channel selection data to the accessswitch/router system 226 via the residential gateway 214. The channelselection data can include an Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP)Join request. In an illustrative embodiment, the access switch/routersystem 226 can identify whether it is joined to a multicast groupassociated with the requested channel based on information in the IGMPJoin request.

If the access switch/router system 226 is not joined to the multicastgroup associated with the requested channel, the access switch/routersystem 226 can generate a multicast stream request. The multicast streamrequest can be generated by modifying the received channel selectiondata. In an illustrative embodiment, the access switch/router system 226can modify an IGMP Join request to produce a proxy IGMP Join request.The access switch/router system 226 can send the multicast streamrequest to the distribution switch/router system 228 via the BTV stream222. In response to receiving the multicast stream request, thedistribution switch/router system 228 can send a stream associated withthe requested channel to the access switch/router system 226 via the BTVstream 222.

The MDS 130 of FIG. 1 can be operably coupled to the secondcommunication system 200 for purposes of collecting and distributingmedia content by way of the second communication system.

FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a third communication system300 for delivering media content. Communication system 300 can beoverlaid or operably coupled with communication systems 100-200 asanother representative embodiment of said communication systems. Asshown, the system 300 can include a client facing tier 302, anapplication tier 304, an acquisition tier 306, and an operations andmanagement tier 308. Each tier 302, 304, 306, 308 is coupled to aprivate network 310, such as a network of common packet-switched routersand/or switches; to a public network 312, such as the Internet; or toboth the private network 310 and the public network 312. For example,the client-facing tier 302 can be coupled to the private network 310.Further, the application tier 304 can be coupled to the private network310 and to the public network 312. The acquisition tier 306 can also becoupled to the private network 310 and to the public network 312.Additionally, the operations and management tier 308 can be coupled tothe public network 322.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the various tiers 302, 304, 306, 308communicate with each other via the private network 310 and the publicnetwork 312. For instance, the client-facing tier 302 can communicatewith the application tier 304 and the acquisition tier 306 via theprivate network 310. The application tier 304 can communicate with theacquisition tier 306 via the private network 310. Further, theapplication tier 304 can communicate with the acquisition tier 306 andthe operations and management tier 308 via the public network 312.Moreover, the acquisition tier 306 can communicate with the operationsand management tier 308 via the public network 312. In a particularembodiment, elements of the application tier 304, including, but notlimited to, a client gateway 350, can communicate directly with theclient-facing tier 302.

The client-facing tier 302 can communicate with user equipment via anaccess network 366, such as an IPTV access network. In an illustrativeembodiment, customer premises equipment (CPE) 314, 322 can be coupled toa local switch, router, or other device of the access network 366. Theclient-facing tier 302 can communicate with a first representativeset-top box device 316 via the first CPE 314 and with a secondrepresentative set-top box device 324 via the second CPE 322. In aparticular embodiment, the first representative set-top box device 316and the first CPE 314 can be located at a first customer premise, andthe second representative set-top box device 324 and the second CPE 322can be located at a second customer premise.

In another particular embodiment, the first representative set-top boxdevice 316 and the second representative set-top box device 324 can belocated at a single customer premise, both coupled to one of the CPE314, 322. The CPE 314, 322 can include routers, local area networkdevices, modems, such as digital subscriber line (DSL) modems, any othersuitable devices for facilitating communication between a set-top boxdevice and the access network 366, or any combination thereof.

In an exemplary embodiment, the client-facing tier 302 can be coupled tothe CPE 314, 322 via fiber optic cables. In another exemplaryembodiment, the CPE 314, 322 can include DSL modems that are coupled toone or more network nodes via twisted pairs, and the client-facing tier302 can be coupled to the network nodes via fiber-optic cables. Eachset-top box device 316, 324 can process data received via the accessnetwork 366, via a common IPTV software platform.

The first set-top box device 316 can be coupled to a first externaldisplay device, such as a first television monitor 318, and the secondset-top box device 324 can be coupled to a second external displaydevice, such as a second television monitor 326. Moreover, the firstset-top box device 316 can communicate with a first remote control 320,and the second set-top box device 324 can communicate with a secondremote control 328. The set-top box devices 316, 324 can include IPTVset-top box devices; video gaming devices or consoles that are adaptedto receive IPTV content; personal computers or other computing devicesthat are adapted to emulate set-top box device functionalities; anyother device adapted to receive IPTV content and transmit data to anIPTV system via an access network; or any combination thereof.

In an exemplary, non-limiting embodiment, each set-top box device 316,324 can receive data, video, or any combination thereof, from theclient-facing tier 302 via the access network 366 and render or displaythe data, video, or any combination thereof, at the display device 318,326 to which it is coupled. In an illustrative embodiment, the set-topbox devices 316, 324 can include tuners that receive and decodetelevision programming signals or packet streams for transmission to thedisplay devices 318, 326. Further, the set-top box devices 316, 324 caneach include a STB processor 370 and a STB memory device 372 that isaccessible to the STB processor 370. In one embodiment, a computerprogram, such as the STB computer program 374, can be embedded withinthe STB memory device 372.

In an illustrative embodiment, the client-facing tier 302 can include aclient-facing tier (CFT) switch 330 that manages communication betweenthe client-facing tier 302 and the access network 366 and between theclient-facing tier 302 and the private network 310. As illustrated, theCFT switch 330 is coupled to one or more distribution servers, such asDistribution-servers (D-servers) 332, that store, format, encode,replicate, or otherwise manipulate or prepare video content forcommunication from the client-facing tier 302 to the set-top box devices316, 324. The CFT switch 330 can also be coupled to a terminal server334 that provides terminal devices with a point of connection to theIPTV system 300 via the client-facing tier 302.

In a particular embodiment, the CFT switch 330 can be coupled to avideo-on-demand (VOD) server 336 that stores or provides VOD contentimported by the IPTV system 300. Further, the CFT switch 330 is coupledto one or more video servers 380 that receive video content and transmitthe content to the set-top boxes 316, 324 via the access network 366.The client-facing tier 302 may include a CPE management server 382 thatmanages communications to and from the CPE 314 and the CPE 322. Forexample, the CPE management server 382 may collect performance dataassociated with the set-top box devices 316, 324 from the CPE 314 or theCPE 322 and forward the collected performance data to a serverassociated with the operations and management tier 308.

In an illustrative embodiment, the client-facing tier 302 cancommunicate with a large number of set-top boxes, such as therepresentative set-top boxes 316, 324, over a wide geographic area, suchas a metropolitan area, a viewing area, a statewide area, a regionalarea, a nationwide area or any other suitable geographic area, marketarea, or subscriber or customer group that can be supported bynetworking the client-facing tier 302 to numerous set-top box devices.In a particular embodiment, the CFT switch 330, or any portion thereof,can include a multicast router or switch that communicates with multipleset-top box devices via a multicast-enabled network.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the application tier 304 can communicate withboth the private network 310 and the public network 312. The applicationtier 304 can include a first application tier (APP) switch 338 and asecond APP switch 340. In a particular embodiment, the first APP switch338 can be coupled to the second APP switch 340. The first APP switch338 can be coupled to an application server 342 and to an OSS/BSSgateway 344. In a particular embodiment, the application server 342 canprovide applications to the set-top box devices 316, 324 via the accessnetwork 366, which enable the set-top box devices 316, 324 to providefunctions, such as interactive program guides, video gaming, display,messaging, processing of VOD material and other IPTV content, etc. In anillustrative embodiment, the application server 342 can provide locationinformation to the set-top box devices 316, 324. In a particularembodiment, the OSS/BSS gateway 344 includes operation systems andsupport (OSS) data, as well as billing systems and support (BSS) data.In one embodiment, the OSS/BSS gateway 344 can provide or restrictaccess to an OSS/BSS server 364 that stores operations and billingsystems data.

The second APP switch 340 can be coupled to a domain controller 346 thatprovides Internet access, for example, to users at their computers 368via the public network 312. For example, the domain controller 346 canprovide remote Internet access to IPTV account information, e-mail,personalized Internet services, or other online services via the publicnetwork 312. In addition, the second APP switch 340 can be coupled to asubscriber and system store 348 that includes account information, suchas account information that is associated with users who access the IPTVsystem 300 via the private network 310 or the public network 312. In anillustrative embodiment, the subscriber and system store 348 can storesubscriber or customer data and create subscriber or customer profilesthat are associated with IP addresses, stock-keeping unit (SKU) numbers,other identifiers, or any combination thereof, of corresponding set-topbox devices 316, 324. In another illustrative embodiment, the subscriberand system store can store data associated with capabilities of set-topbox devices associated with particular customers.

In a particular embodiment, the application tier 304 can include aclient gateway 350 that communicates data directly to the client-facingtier 302. In this embodiment, the client gateway 350 can be coupleddirectly to the CFT switch 330. The client gateway 350 can provide useraccess to the private network 310 and the tiers coupled thereto. In anillustrative embodiment, the set-top box devices 316, 324 can access theIPTV system 300 via the access network 366, using information receivedfrom the client gateway 350. User devices can access the client gateway350 via the access network 366, and the client gateway 350 can allowsuch devices to access the private network 310 once the devices areauthenticated or verified. Similarly, the client gateway 350 can preventunauthorized devices, such as hacker computers or stolen set-top boxdevices from accessing the private network 310, by denying access tothese devices beyond the access network 366.

For example, when the first representative set-top box device 316accesses the client-facing tier 302 via the access network 366, theclient gateway 350 can verify subscriber information by communicatingwith the subscriber and system store 348 via the private network 310.Further, the client gateway 350 can verify billing information andstatus by communicating with the OSS/BSS gateway 344 via the privatenetwork 310. In one embodiment, the OSS/BSS gateway 344 can transmit aquery via the public network 312 to the OSS/BSS server 364. After theclient gateway 350 confirms subscriber and/or billing information, theclient gateway 350 can allow the set-top box device 316 to access IPTVcontent and VOD content at the client-facing tier 302. If the clientgateway 350 cannot verify subscriber information for the set-top boxdevice 316, e.g., because it is connected to an unauthorized twistedpair, the client gateway 350 can block transmissions to and from theset-top box device 316 beyond the access network 366.

As indicated in FIG. 3, the acquisition tier 306 includes an acquisitiontier (AQT) switch 352 that communicates with the private network 310.The AQT switch 352 can also communicate with the operations andmanagement tier 308 via the public network 312. In a particularembodiment, the AQT switch 352 can be coupled to one or more liveAcquisition-servers (A-servers) 354 that receive or acquire televisioncontent, movie content, advertisement content, other video content, orany combination thereof, from a broadcast service 356, such as asatellite acquisition system or satellite head-end office. In aparticular embodiment, the live acquisition server 354 can transmitcontent to the AQT switch 352, and the AQT switch 352 can transmit thecontent to the CFT switch 330 via the private network 310.

In an illustrative embodiment, content can be transmitted to theD-servers 332, where it can be encoded, formatted, stored, replicated,or otherwise manipulated and prepared for communication from the videoserver(s) 380 to the set-top box devices 316, 324. The CFT switch 330can receive content from the video server(s) 380 and communicate thecontent to the CPE 314, 322 via the access network 366. The set-top boxdevices 316, 324 can receive the content via the CPE 314, 322, and cantransmit the content to the television monitors 318, 326. In anillustrative embodiment, video or audio portions of the content can bestreamed to the set-top box devices 316, 324.

Further, the AQT switch 352 can be coupled to a video-on-demand importerserver 358 that receives and stores television or movie content receivedat the acquisition tier 306 and communicates the stored content to theVOD server 336 at the client-facing tier 302 via the private network310. Additionally, at the acquisition tier 306, the video-on-demand(VOD) importer server 358 can receive content from one or more VODsources outside the IPTV system 300, such as movie studios andprogrammers of non-live content. The VOD importer server 358 cantransmit the VOD content to the AQT switch 352, and the AQT switch 352,in turn, can communicate the material to the CFT switch 330 via theprivate network 310. The VOD content can be stored at one or moreservers, such as the VOD server 336.

When users issue requests for VOD content via the set-top box devices316, 324, the requests can be transmitted over the access network 366 tothe VOD server 336, via the CFT switch 330. Upon receiving suchrequests, the VOD server 336 can retrieve the requested VOD content andtransmit the content to the set-top box devices 316, 324 across theaccess network 366, via the CFT switch 330. The set-top box devices 316,324 can transmit the VOD content to the television monitors 318, 326. Inan illustrative embodiment, video or audio portions of VOD content canbe streamed to the set-top box devices 316, 324.

FIG. 3 further illustrates that the operations and management tier 308can include an operations and management tier (OMT) switch 360 thatconducts communication between the operations and management tier 308and the public network 312. In the embodiment illustrated by FIG. 3, theOMT switch 360 is coupled to a TV2 server 362. Additionally, the OMTswitch 360 can be coupled to an OSS/BSS server 364 and to a simplenetwork management protocol monitor 386 that monitors network deviceswithin or coupled to the IPTV system 300. In a particular embodiment,the OMT switch 360 can communicate with the AQT switch 352 via thepublic network 312.

The OSS/BSS server 364 may include a cluster of servers, such as one ormore CPE data collection servers that are adapted to request and storeoperations systems data, such as performance data from the set-top boxdevices 316, 324. In an illustrative embodiment, the CPE data collectionservers may be adapted to analyze performance data to identify acondition of a physical component of a network path associated with aset-top box device, to predict a condition of a physical component of anetwork path associated with a set-top box device, or any combinationthereof.

In an illustrative embodiment, the live acquisition server 354 cantransmit content to the AQT switch 352, and the AQT switch 352, in turn,can transmit the content to the OMT switch 360 via the public network312. In this embodiment, the OMT switch 360 can transmit the content tothe TV2 server 362 for display to users accessing the user interface atthe TV2 server 362. For example, a user can access the TV2 server 362using a personal computer 368 coupled to the public network 312.

The MDS 130 of FIGS. 1-2 can be operably coupled to the thirdcommunication system 300 for purposes of collecting and distributingmedia content by way of the third communication system.

It should be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from theforegoing media communication system embodiments that other suitablemedia communication systems for distributing broadcast media content aswell as peer-to-peer exchange of content can be applied to the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a communication system 400employing a IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network architecture.Communication system 400 can be overlaid or operably coupled withcommunication systems 100-300 as another representative embodiment ofsaid communication systems.

The communication system 400 can comprise a Home Subscriber Server (HSS)440, a tElephone NUmber Mapping (ENUM) server 430, and network elementsof an IMS network 450. The IMS network 450 can be coupled to IMScompliant communication devices (CD) 401, 402 or a Public SwitchedTelephone Network (PSTN) CD 403 using a Media Gateway Control Function(MGCF) 420 that connects the call through a common PSTN network 460.

IMS CDs 401, 402 register with the IMS network 450 by contacting a ProxyCall Session Control Function (P-CSCF) which communicates with acorresponding Serving CSCF (S-CSCF) to register the CDs with anAuthentication, Authorization and Accounting (AAA) support by the HSS440. To accomplish a communication session between CDs, an originatingIMS CD 401 can submit a SIP INVITE message to an originating P-CSCF 404which communicates with a corresponding originating S-CSCF 406. Theoriginating S-CSCF 406 can submit the SIP INVITE message to anapplication server (AS) such as reference 410 that can provide a varietyof services to IMS subscribers. For example, the application server 410can be used to perform originating treatment functions on the callingparty number received by the originating S-CSCF 406 in the SIP INVITEmessage.

Originating treatment functions can include determining whether thecalling party number has international calling services, and/or isrequesting special telephony features (e.g., *72 forward calls, *73cancel call forwarding, *67 for caller ID blocking, and so on).Additionally, the originating S-CSCF 406 can submit queries to the ENUMsystem 430 to translate an E.164 telephone number to a SIP UniformResource Identifier (URI) if the targeted communication device is IMScompliant. If the targeted communication device is a PSTN device, theENUM system 430 will respond with an unsuccessful address resolution andthe S-CSCF 406 will forward the call to the MGCF 420 via a BreakoutGateway Control Function (BGCF) 419.

When the ENUM server 430 returns a SIP URI, the SIP URI is used by anInterrogating CSCF (I-CSCF) 407 to submit a query to the HSS 440 toidentify a terminating S-CSCF 414 associated with a terminating IMS CDsuch as reference 402. Once identified, the I-CSCF 407 can submit theSIP INVITE to the terminating S-CSCF 414 which can call on anapplication server 411 similar to reference 410 to perform theoriginating treatment telephony functions described earlier. Theterminating S-CSCF 414 can then identify a terminating P-CSCF 416associated with the terminating CD 402. The P-CSCF 416 then signals theCD 402 to establish communications. The aforementioned process issymmetrical. Accordingly, the terms “originating” and “terminating” inFIG. 4 can be interchanged.

IMS network 450 can also be operably coupled to the MDS 130 previouslydiscussed for FIG. 1. In this representative embodiment, the MDS 130 canbe accessed over a PSTN or VoIP channel of communication system 400 bycommon techniques such as described above.

FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a portal 530. The portal 530can be used for managing services of communication systems 100-400. Theportal 530 can be accessed by a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) with acommon Internet browser such as Microsoft's Internet Explorer using anInternet-capable communication device such as references 108, 116, or210 of FIGS. 1-2. The portal 530 can be configured to access a mediaprocessor such as references 106, 204, 206, 316, and 324 of FIGS. 1-3and services managed thereby such as a Digital Video Recorder (DVR), anElectronic Programming Guide (EPG), VOD catalog, a personal catalogstored in the STB (e.g., personal videos, pictures, audio recordings,etc.), and so on. The portal 530 can also be used by the subscriber toprovision the MDS 130 with media content distribution preferences.

FIG. 6 depicts an exemplary method 600 operating in portions ofcommunication systems 100-400. Method 600 illustrates one of severalembodiments for collecting media content from media sources anddistributing said media content to some or all media presentationdevices accessible by the MDS 130. FIG. 7 provides an illustration ofmedia presentation devices and media sources coupled to the MDS 130 by awireline or wireless interface. As noted earlier, the MDS 130 can residein the premises of a subscriber, remotely in any of the mediacommunication systems of FIGS. 1-4, or decentralized with portions ofthe MDS distributed in disparate locations. In the case where the MDS130 is remotely situated from a user, the user can access the MDS 130 byway of portal 530.

With these principles in mind, method 600 begins with step 602 in whichthe MDS 130 receives software applications associated with media sourcesand/or media presentation devices. The software applications canrepresent common libraries and/or plug-ins to facilitate at the MDS 130receiving and processing media content from media sources as well as fordistributing media content to the media presentation devices. Thesoftware applications can also provide a means for the MDS 130 to detectthe entry of a media source or media presentation device in a networkfrom which the MDS is operating.

Once these software applications have been installed in the MDS 130, theMDS can proceed to step 604 where it monitors for the entry of a mediasource in its network with new media content not previously available tothe media presentation devices. If a media source is detected, but theMDS 130 has in its data banks a copy of the media content recorded inthe media source or is aware that the media content has already beendistributed to the media devices, the MDS ignores the detection andcontinues to search for media sources with new media content. Once amedia source with new media content is detected by the MDS 130, the MDSproceeds to step 606 where it retrieves the new media content (using thesoftware applications of step 602 to facilitate the retrieval) anddetermines in step 608 one or more media content types.

A media content type can represent an audio content type (e.g., MP3,WAV, etc.), a visual content type (e.g., MP4, JPEG, GIF, etc.), orcombinations thereof. In step 610, the MDS 130 identifies one or moredistribution preferences established by a subscriber. The distributionpreferences can represent user-defined macros for directing adistribution of media content according to media content distributionarrangements assigned by the user between a plurality of media sourcesof the user and the plurality of media presentation devices of the user.

For example, suppose a subscriber enters a network from which the MDS130 is operating with a cell phone that has a digital camera that cancapture still pictures as well as videos in JPEG and MP4 formatsrespectfully. Also assume the subscriber has a media player built intothe phone such as is available with iPhones™ with a library of songs(MP3 files) and videos (MP4 files) which the user has purchased fromiTunes™. In this hypothetical example the cell phone can serve as amedia source detected in step 604 with new media content.

Further suppose that the subscriber has an STB in his or her residencesuch as the ones illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 which can present stillpictures, videos, and music in the abovementioned formats. Also, assumethat the subscriber has an automobile entertainment system that can playMP3 music files and can wirelessly communicate with the MDS 130 over acellular network such as 117 of FIG. 1.

With the above devices in mind, the subscriber can provision the MDS 130from a common interface such as a portal 530 with distributionpreferences to address how the media content of the above illustrationis to be distributed. The portal 530 can present the subscriber a commongraphical user interface (GUI) to enter and define macros for assigninga distribution arrangement between the media sources and the mediapresentation devices of the subscriber. Referring back to theillustration, the subscriber can specify that all new media files in thecellular phone (MP3, MP4, and JPEG files) are to be distributed to theSTB, while only MP3 files are to be distributed to the entertainmentsystem of the automobile. If the automobile has a video system such as aDVD player which can present MP4 files, the subscriber can also definein the distribution preferences that MP4 files are to be distributed tothe entertainment system of the automobile.

By way of the GUI interface of the portal 530 the subscriber can alsoidentify a number of possible media sources and media presentationdevices which the MDS 130 can communicate with. The descriptions of themedia sources and media presentation devices can include among otherthings one or more communication identifiers (e.g., IP address, SIP URI,URL, telephone number, etc.), model numbers, computing resourcecapabilities, and so on.

Under circumstances where media sources and media presentation devicesare supplied to the subscriber by a service provider of one of the mediacommunication systems of FIGS. 1-4, the portal 530, acting as asubsystem of the media communication system, can automatically populateprovisioning fields describing said media sources and media presentationdevices by retrieving information about these devices from a subscriberdatabase of the media communication system. In situations, where some ofthe media sources and/or media presentation devices are exclusivelyowned by the subscriber (e.g., an iPod, camera, etc.) and not managed bythe service provider of the media communication system, the subscriberwill have to populate provisioning fields in the portal 530 for eachidentified media source and/or media presentation device.

Once the media sources and media presentation devices have beenidentified and described, the portal 530 can inform the MDS 130 of thesedescriptions which in turn can prompt the MDS to request, as previouslydiscussed in step 602, software applications and/or plug-ins fromwebsites that support these devices.

After the MDS 130 has identified the distribution preferences in step610, the MDS can identify in step 612 the media presentation devicescapable of receiving the new media content detected in step 604, anddetermine which of the media presentation devices are communicativelycoupled to the MDS by utilizing the communication identifiers (discussedearlier) to attempt establishing communications with the mediapresentation devices. Once the MDS 130 identifies which of the mediapresentation devices is available to receive media content, the MDSproceeds to step 616 where it distributed all or portions of the mediacontent to the media presentation devices according to the distributionpreferences and the media content types determined in step 608.

In the illustrative example previously discussed, the MDS 130 woulddistribute all media files to the STB, and only the MP3 and MP4 files tothe automobile entertainment system as directed by the distributionpreferences established by the subscriber by way of the portal 530. Thedistribution of media content to the STB as previously noted can occurover a wireline interface (e.g., Ethernet) or WiFi, while thedistribution to the automobile entertainment system can occur over acellular interface.

Suppose however that the automobile is turned off at the time that theMDS 130 checked the availability of entertainment system in step 614,and said system did not respond to the MDS's communication prompt. Underthese circumstances, step 616 would apply only to the STB. To addressthis situation, the MDS 130 can be directed to step 618 to determine ifother media presentation devices have been targeted to receive portionsof the media content, but were not detected in step 614. If all targetedmedia presentation devices have been found, and have successfullyreceived the media content, then method 600 ends and is repeated forsubsequently detected media sources with new media content.

If a targeted media presentation device was not available as in thepresent illustration, the MDS 130 proceeds to step 620 to determine ifthe media presentation device has subsequently become communicativelyavailable. If a device is detected, the MDS 130 can proceed to step 622to determine if it is one of the targeted media presentation devices ofstep 616. If it is not, the MDS 130 can return to step 620 and continuethe monitoring process. If in step 622 the MDS 130 determines that themedia presentation device detected in step 620 is a targeted mediapresentation device, the MDS can proceed to step 624 to distribute mediacontent according to the distribution preferences and media contenttypes as previously discussed in step 616. After step 624, the MDS 130can return to steps 620 and 618 to repeat the monitoring process untilall targeted media presentation devices have been found. Steps 618-624can operate as a background process of the MDS 130.

Upon reviewing the aforementioned embodiments, it would be evident to anartisan with ordinary skill in the art that said embodiments can bemodified, reduced, or enhanced without departing from the scope andspirit of the claims described below. For example, method 600 can beadapted so that the monitoring process of steps 618-620 is performedproactively. For example, the MDS 130 can be directed to submit one ormore prompt messages (e.g., SMS messages) to the entertainment system ofthe automobile by way of for example its telemetry system to inform itthat new media content is available from the MDS. Once the subscriberhas turned on the automobile, the entertainment system can receive thequeued SMS message from the cellular system, thereby prompting it tosubmit a response message (e.g., another SMS) to the MDS 130 indicatingit is ready to receive the media content. At that point, the MDS 130 canproceed to step 624 to transmit the media content according to thedistribution preferences and media content types detected in step 608.

In yet another illustrative embodiment, method 600 can be adapted sothat media content is categorized by the MDS 130 before its transmissionto the targeted media presentation devices. Returning to the previouslymentioned illustration, the cellular phone serving as a media source caninclude MP4 files which were generated by the subscriber using thedigital camera of the cellular phone. These MP4 files can bedistinguished from commercial MP4 files delivered by an Internet contentsource such as iTunes™. The MDS 130 can be adapted to create metadata(if the metadata is not already supplied by the cellular phone) todescribe these differences, and attach the metadata to the media filesbefore it is transmitted to the targeted media presentation devices. Themetadata can also indicate the source of the media content (e.g.,subscriber's cell phone). The media presentation devices in turn can usethis information to categorize the received media content so thesubscriber can readily distinguish the source of the media content,separate commercial content from personal recordings.

In another illustrative embodiment, method 600 can be adapted to definemore complex distribution preferences. For instance, if the mediacontent includes metadata with tags and/or description of the mediacontent, the subscriber can define macros for distributing contentbetween media players. For instance, the subscriber can define macros sothat media content of only certain music performers is to be distributedto the automobile of the subscriber.

In yet another illustrative embodiment, method 600 can be adapted sothat distribution preferences can be defined on a per user basis. Inthis embodiment, media content can be distributed by the MDS 130 amongmedia devices of multiple subscribers according to the distributionpreferences of each corresponding subscriber.

Other suitable modifications that can be applied to the presentdisclosure without departing from the scope of the claims below.Accordingly, the reader is directed to the claims section for a fullerunderstanding of the breadth and scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 depicts an exemplary diagrammatic representation of a machine inthe form of a computer system 800 within which a set of instructions,when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethodologies discussed above. In some embodiments, the machine operatesas a standalone device. In some embodiments, the machine may beconnected (e.g., using a network) to other machines. In a networkeddeployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of a server or aclient user machine in server-client user network environment, or as apeer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment.

The machine may comprise a server computer, a client user computer, apersonal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a laptop computer, a desktopcomputer, a control system, a network router, switch or bridge, or anymachine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential orotherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. It will beunderstood that a device of the present disclosure includes broadly anyelectronic device that provides voice, video or data communication.Further, while a single machine is illustrated, the term “machine” shallalso be taken to include any collection of machines that individually orjointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform anyone or more of the methodologies discussed herein.

The computer system 800 may include a processor 802 (e.g., a centralprocessing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU, or both), a mainmemory 804 and a static memory 806, which communicate with each othervia a bus 808. The computer system 800 may further include a videodisplay unit 810 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD), a flat panel, asolid state display, or a cathode ray tube (CRT)). The computer system800 may include an input device 812 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor controldevice 814 (e.g., a mouse), a disk drive unit 816, a signal generationdevice 818 (e.g., a speaker or remote control) and a network interfacedevice 820.

The disk drive unit 816 may include a machine-readable medium 822 onwhich is stored one or more sets of instructions (e.g., software 824)embodying any one or more of the methodologies or functions describedherein, including those methods illustrated above. The instructions 824may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the mainmemory 804, the static memory 806, and/or within the processor 802during execution thereof by the computer system 800. The main memory 804and the processor 802 also may constitute machine-readable media.

Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limited to,application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays andother hardware devices can likewise be constructed to implement themethods described herein. Applications that may include the apparatusand systems of various embodiments broadly include a variety ofelectronic and computer systems. Some embodiments implement functions intwo or more specific interconnected hardware modules or devices withrelated control and data signals communicated between and through themodules, or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit.Thus, the example system is applicable to software, firmware, andhardware implementations.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, themethods described herein are intended for operation as software programsrunning on a computer processor. Furthermore, software implementationscan include, but not limited to, distributed processing orcomponent/object distributed processing, parallel processing, or virtualmachine processing can also be constructed to implement the methodsdescribed herein.

The present disclosure contemplates a machine readable medium containinginstructions 824, or that which receives and executes instructions 824from a propagated signal so that a device connected to a networkenvironment 826 can send or receive voice, video or data, and tocommunicate over the network 826 using the instructions 824. Theinstructions 824 may further be transmitted or received over a network826 via the network interface device 820.

While the machine-readable medium 822 is shown in an example embodimentto be a single medium, the term “machine-readable medium” should betaken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralizedor distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) thatstore the one or more sets of instructions. The term “machine-readablemedium” shall also be taken to include any medium that is capable ofstoring, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by themachine and that cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethodologies of the present disclosure.

The term “machine-readable medium” shall accordingly be taken toinclude, but not be limited to: solid-state memories such as a memorycard or other package that houses one or more read-only (non-volatile)memories, random access memories, or other re-writable (volatile)memories; magneto-optical or optical medium such as a disk or tape; andcarrier wave signals such as a signal embodying computer instructions ina transmission medium; and/or a digital file attachment to e-mail orother self-contained information archive or set of archives isconsidered a distribution medium equivalent to a tangible storagemedium. Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include any one ormore of a machine-readable medium or a distribution medium, as listedherein and including art-recognized equivalents and successor media, inwhich the software implementations herein are stored.

Although the present specification describes components and functionsimplemented in the embodiments with reference to particular standardsand protocols, the disclosure is not limited to such standards andprotocols. Each of the standards for Internet and other packet switchednetwork transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP) representexamples of the state of the art. Such standards are periodicallysuperseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentiallythe same functions. Accordingly, replacement standards and protocolshaving the same functions are considered equivalents.

The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments,and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all theelements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use ofthe structures described herein. Many other embodiments will be apparentto those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Otherembodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structuraland logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing fromthe scope of this disclosure. Figures are also merely representationaland may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions thereof may beexaggerated, while others may be minimized. Accordingly, thespecification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative ratherthan a restrictive sense.

Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred toherein, individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merelyfor convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope ofthis application to any single invention or inventive concept if morethan one is in fact disclosed. Thus, although specific embodiments havebeen illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that anyarrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substitutedfor the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to coverany and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in theart upon reviewing the above description.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R.§1.72(b), requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to quicklyascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted withthe understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit thescope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing DetailedDescription, it can be seen that various features are grouped togetherin a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure.This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting anintention that the claimed embodiments require more features than areexpressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claimsreflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of asingle disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are herebyincorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing onits own as a separately claimed subject matter.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device, comprising: a processing systemincluding a processor; and a memory that stores executable instructionsthat, when executed by the processing system, facilitate performance ofoperations, comprising: obtaining media content from a media sourcedevice over a communication network; identifying a distributionpreference according to a metadata of the media content; monitoring aplurality of media devices over a group of time intervals; determining achange in availability of at least one of the plurality of media devicesover the group of time intervals; and distributing the media content tothe at least one of the plurality of media devices according to thechange in availability and the distribution preference.
 2. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the operations comprise detecting the media sourcedevice entering the communication network.
 3. The device of claim 1,wherein the operations further comprise: identifying a media contenttype for the media content; and determining the plurality of mediadevices are capable of receiving the media content according to themedia content type.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the determiningthe change in availability of the at least one of the plurality of mediadevices comprises determining that a portion of the plurality of mediadevices are unavailable to receive the media content.
 5. The device ofclaim 4, wherein the determining the change in availability of the atleast one of the plurality of media devices comprises determining theportion of the plurality of media devices are available to receive tomedia content.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the operations comprisereceiving user-generated input, wherein the user-generated inputindicates a group of target media devices from the plurality of mediadevices.
 7. The device of claim 6, wherein the operations comprisereceiving a software application associated with the media sourcedevice, wherein distributing the media content comprises distributingthe media content according to the user-generated input using thesoftware application.
 8. A machine-readable storage medium, comprisingexecutable instructions that, when executed by a processing systemincluding a processor, facilitate performance of operations, comprising:detecting a media source device entering a communication network;obtaining media content from the media source device over thecommunication network; identifying a distribution preference accordingto a metadata of the media content; monitoring a plurality of mediadevices over a group of time intervals; determining a change inavailability of at least one of the plurality of media devices over thegroup of time intervals; and distributing the media content to the atleast one of the plurality of media devices according to the change inavailability and the distribution preference.
 9. The machine-readablestorage medium of claim 8, wherein the operations further comprise:identifying a media content type for the media content; and determiningthe plurality of media devices are capable of receiving the mediacontent according to the media content type.
 10. The machine-readablestorage medium of claim 8, wherein the determining the change inavailability of the at least one of the plurality of media devicescomprises determining that a portion of the plurality of media devicesare unavailable to receive the media content.
 11. The machine-readablestorage medium of claim 10, wherein the determining the change inavailability of the at least one of the plurality of media devicescomprises determining the portion of the plurality of media devices areavailable to receive to media content.
 12. The machine-readable storagemedium of claim 8, wherein the operations comprise receivinguser-generated input, wherein the user-generated input indicates a groupof target media devices from the plurality of media devices.
 13. Themachine-readable storage medium of claim 12, wherein the operationscomprise receiving a software application associated with the mediasource device, wherein distributing the media content comprisesdistributing the media content according to the user-generated inputusing the software application.
 14. A method, comprising: obtaining, bya processing system including a processor, media content from a mediasource device over a communication network; identifying, by theprocessing system, a distribution preference according to a metadata ofthe media content; monitoring, by the processing system, a plurality ofmedia devices over a group of time intervals; identifying, by theprocessing system, a media content type for the media content;determining, by the processing system, the plurality of media devicesare capable of receiving the media content according to the mediacontent type determining, by the processing system, a change inavailability of the at least one of the plurality of media devices overthe group of time intervals; and distributing, by the processing system,the media content to the at least one of the plurality of media devicesaccording to the change in availability and the distribution preference.15. The method of claim 14, comprising detecting, by the processingsystem, the media source device entering the communication network. 16.The method of claim 15, wherein the media source device is a mobilecommunication device.
 17. The method of claim 14, wherein thedetermining the change in availability of the at least one of theplurality of media devices comprises determining, by the processingsystem, that a portion of the plurality of media devices are unavailableto receive the media content.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein thedetermining the change in availability of the at least one of theplurality of media devices comprises determining, by the processingsystem, the portion of the plurality of media devices are available toreceive to media content.
 19. The method of claim 14, comprisingreceiving, by the processing system, user-generated input, wherein theuser-generated input indicates a group of target media devices from theplurality of media devices.
 20. The method of claim 19, comprisingreceiving, by the processing system, a software application associatedwith the media source device, wherein distributing the media contentcomprises distributing, by the processing system, the media contentaccording to the user-generated input using the software application.